30 December 2023 , 12:16
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Ilkay Gundogan has been slammed for playing like a ‘less talented twin brother’ in a brutal attack by a member of the German FA.
The midfielder - capped by his country over 70 times - remains a key member of Die Mannschaft, something that hasn't changed since his summer move to Barcelona, nor since the departure of Germany boss Hansi Flick, replaced by Julian Nagelsmann ahead of next summer's European Championships.
Gundogan was an integral part of Manchester City's all-conquering treble winners last season too, producing a number of outstanding performances and key goals, en route to their Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League successes.
However, his displays for Germany have not quite been up to par. He is not alone in that respect over the last 18 months. But the vice-president of the DFB, Ralph-Uwe Schaffert has seen fit to take aim at the former City star.
Speaking with German outlet Hannoversche Allgemeine, he said: "Ilkay Gündogan , for example, strangely plays in an outstanding way for the club and then plays in such a way for the national team that one can come to think: Has he sent his twin brother, with less talent? I don't understand it.”
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It is not the first time that Gundogan has faced criticism over his place in the German side over recent years. Former Liverpool and Man City star Dietmar Hamann previously claimed it was a mistake to retain the midfielder as the nation team captain when Nagelsmann was appointed.
Gundogan himself was very critical of the side earlier this month as he claimed that they have not “grown as a team” over recent years. That is a concern held by Schaffert and he is worried over what fate the side could be dealt during the Euros set to be held in the country next summer.
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Adding to his stinging criticism, he said: "I have the feeling that quite a few of the players who are currently on the pitch believe that they can go out on the field with maybe 85% of their possible commitment, and then you have to discover that that is no longer enough against Turkey and Austria I don't even want to imagine what will happen if we play against France or England with this attitude.
“Maybe we will no longer need only those who are very talented, but also those who are willing to roll up their sleeves. The best example of how to do this was given by our under-17 when they won the World Cup.”
Germany have been drawn to face Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland in the group stages of next summer’s Euros. They will hope to improve on their performance from 2021 having been memorably ousted by England at Wembley in the round of 16. Their most recent World Cup campaign was also miserable having not managed to get out of the group that included Spain, Japan and Costa Rica.